The night was still in the dead child’s arms. A sad lullaby filled the silent chamber, and the child smiled, lost in memories of home. Cadbury could not understand why the boy had not crossed to the other side. He was truly ready. Perhaps this room held him in some way.Suddenly, Cadbury became aware of her mage. She felt him, still weak, distant but drawing nearer. She almost leapt from the tiny arms that held her then she looked into the sad, ghostly face.
“You have to go, don’t you?” he asked.
She nodded in answer.
“The others all left too. I’m afraid to be alone. What if the bad woman comes back?”
Cadbury chittered and pointed to the door.
“I don’t know. I’ve never tried,” said the small voice beginning to find some hope. “I’ll try. The shadows seem easiest. Hold on, little bunny.”
The child stepped toward the chamber door. As he approached the exit, his steps grew timid. He couldn’t cross the threshold no matter how hard he tried. Cadbury fretted and worried until her friend touched the shadows about the portal. The boy cried in triumph as he became one with the dark and slid past the barrier. Cadbury rode with the child, sliding the shadows of the fortress at the speed of thought.
Cadbury
